Gap Minder (http://www.gapminder.com) is a powerful database that combines the public data from multiple sources. Hans Rosling, the creator of the tool, and his team pulled data from several, public data sources and compiled them into a single, searchable database that is not only user-friendly but also beautifully and creatively displayed.
The site allows users to select from a large selection of indicators to plot on the x- and y- axes of a graph and follow the progression of those indicators over time. For instance, the default setting of the tool plots "Income per Person" on the x-axis versus "Life Expectancy" on the y-axis. Each dot on the graph represents a different country. (The size of the dots are proportional to the population of the country.) When the user clicks Play, the graph animates to show the relationship of income to life expectancy from 1800 to 2011.
The tool can be customized further by allowing the user to select countries from the list to trace through history. Selecting more than one country allows the user to compare the relationships of the countries over time. The site also allows the user to download a spreadsheet of the data used in the graph. The possibilities are virtually limitless for combinations of data and relationships to view.
Benefits of Tool or App
Dynamic graphs
Large selection of data
Videos and tutorials available to help user learn how to use the tool
Program can be downloaded for offline use
Resources for educators available
Constraints of Tool or App
Difficult to understand how to use without tutorials
Many countries are not represented in all data sets
Difficult to locate numerical data from graphed data
Opening webpage does not make it obvious that this site contains a user-operated tool
Cannot save user-created graphs
How To Use Tool or App
From the initial webpage, http://www.gapminder.org, click the tab at the top of the page entitled "GapMinder World." This tab takes you a graph of "Wealth & Health of Nations."
To customize the x- and y- axes, select either the x-axis label or the y-axis label and select the indicator you would like to graph from the drop-down menu.
To select a specific country (or countries) to trace, check the box(es) from the list to the right of the graph.
Click Play below the graph to see the animation.
To adjust the speed of the animation, use the speed selector to the right of the Play button.
To adjust the size of the graphed area, click the arrow in the bottom right corner of the graph, select the magnifying glass and zoom in/out on the chosen area.
To share the graph, click the Share link above the graph to see the shortened hyperlink for the graph.
To access the numerical data used to generate the graph, you must click the tiny (and I do mean TINY) grid next to the axis label to open a spreadsheet of the data.
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
ScreenCast of GapMinder graph of Water Withdrawal Vs. Access to Improved Water Sources in Sudan from 1990 to 2002.
Due to the nature of the tool, it is difficult to get a very good dynamic video of a graph in action.
Classroom Uses for Tool or App
Student Uses
In algebra classes, students can access a vast database of authentic population data to practice creating regression functions and using those functions to make predictions.
In statistics classes, student can compare the correlation coefficients of different pairs of indicators to determine which indicators appear to be the most closely associated.
In world history classes, students can examine historical data in relation to events studied in class.
Teacher Uses
In health and science classes, teachers can use the videos on the website as a way to introduce specific issues in world health (swine flu epidemic, prevalence of HIV, spread of cancer, etc.).
In algebra classes, teachers can use the videos as an exceptional way to introduce the concept of exponential population growth.
In any class, teachers can access the "For Teachers" tab to find PowerPoint presentations, videos, and pre-made lesson plans that make use of the GapMinder graphing tool to promote class discussions of contemporary population topics.
Description of Tool or App
Gap Minder (http://www.gapminder.com) is a powerful database that combines the public data from multiple sources. Hans Rosling, the creator of the tool, and his team pulled data from several, public data sources and compiled them into a single, searchable database that is not only user-friendly but also beautifully and creatively displayed.The site allows users to select from a large selection of indicators to plot on the x- and y- axes of a graph and follow the progression of those indicators over time. For instance, the default setting of the tool plots "Income per Person" on the x-axis versus "Life Expectancy" on the y-axis. Each dot on the graph represents a different country. (The size of the dots are proportional to the population of the country.) When the user clicks Play, the graph animates to show the relationship of income to life expectancy from 1800 to 2011.
The tool can be customized further by allowing the user to select countries from the list to trace through history. Selecting more than one country allows the user to compare the relationships of the countries over time. The site also allows the user to download a spreadsheet of the data used in the graph. The possibilities are virtually limitless for combinations of data and relationships to view.
Benefits of Tool or App
Constraints of Tool or App
How To Use Tool or App
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
ScreenCast of GapMinder graph of Water Withdrawal Vs. Access to Improved Water Sources in Sudan from 1990 to 2002.Due to the nature of the tool, it is difficult to get a very good dynamic video of a graph in action.
Classroom Uses for Tool or App
Student Uses
Teacher Uses